Despite gyms and swimming pools reopening across Scotland this week there are fears for the future of the leisure industry in West Lothian.
The Scottish Government lifted restrictions on gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts operating on Monday (August 31) but 50,000 jobs across the UK remain in jeopardy.
Most of West Lothian Leisure’s (WLL) Xcite facilities will reopen on September 14 under new government guidelines, and they will welcome back all furloughed staff.
WLL have been proudly backing the #saveleisure online campaign in recent weeks after 6000 people lost their jobs in the leisure industry across the UK when the global health crisis struck.
Data from Community Leisure UK’s Covid-19 Impact Report showed that only a third of such health and fitness facilities planned to immediately reopen in Scotland.
The Courier revealed last month that a local gym owner, Steve Marsden, had launched an industry campaign to get sufficient government funding to support businesses through the pandemic.
He is delighted that he is able to now get back to business but is equally concerned for the future after losing a massive amount of money.
Steve said: “I’m over the moon to be open but we have a lot of work to do. We have lost over £70,000 in membership fees over the course of the pandemic and had to spend a lot on making our facility safe for our members.
“We are lucky that we already run a very lean business but we have still had to let staff go and make cutbacks. It’s worse for most gyms that have high overheads like equipment leases and swimming pools to heat. It’s not looking great for the industry.
“Initially, I thought the government handled the crisis well, allowing people one hour of exercise for their physical and mental health but increasingly that was eroded.
“As pubs and restaurants were opened and then subsidised it showed that the money brought in from the alcohol and fast food industries is more important than people’s health.”
Steve had to pay off one staff member at his Livingston gym over the past few months and has been making use of the furlough scheme but that is due to end in November.
However, with that date looming ever closer he is hoping that Chancellor Rishi Sunak extends the initiative and allows his industry time to recover.
Steve continued: “We are now in a position where jobs are at risk, predominantly held by 18 to 25 year olds, as the furlough scheme winds down.
“The UK Government needs to extend this for my industry to survive - I now have six weeks to build my business to the point it took me three years to do previously.
“In addition, the Scottish Government has found millions for every industry but ours despite the First Minister claiming her priority is health and the jobs of young people. It just doesn’t make sense.
“Sixty-five per cent of Scotland’s adults are overweight or obese and 30 per cent of Scotland’s children are overweight or obese.
“Scotland could be the healthiest and most productive country in the world. Unfortunately, our industry might die before that happens.”
For more information on at Steve Marsden Fitness: https://www.facebook.com/stevemarsdenfitnessgym
